Political Quotes

“I want to thank Chairman Sensenbrenner, Subcommittee Chairman Gekas and the House Leadership for bringing up this legislation today to improve and revamp the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), and I am pleased to see that President Bush is behind the measure. The United States must do a better job of protecting America's borders, tracking foreign students and visitors, dealing with illegal aliens and serving those who are served daily by the INS. Over seven months have passed since the attacks of September 11, and many of the loopholes that the terrorists utilized to harm our nation, have not been addressed. I am hopeful the President will have the opportunity to sign enhanced border security legislation regarding student visa reforms, smart card technology, reform of the visa waiver program, shared databases and integrated entry-exit data systems. These are good reforms but the reforms and technology are only as good as the people who administer the various programs and utilize the technology. The INS has been a maligned agency that has had major difficulties implementing visa tracking programs and integrated entry-exit systems. A recent review by the Department of Justice Inspector General found that INS officials mismanaged $31 million aimed at automating a visa tracking system. To this day we are unable to seriously determine who is in this country at any given time.”